From Medieval Europe to Contemporary Australia

Death and Affect in Chaucer at MLA 2014

This is a call for participants in Death and Affect in Chaucer, a special session proposal for the MLA Convention in Chicago, 9-12 January 2014.

Death and Affect in Chaucer

How does Chaucer’s literature confirm/counter medieval ‘norms’ of emotions related to death? What kinds of emotional reactions to death (impending death of the self, or the death of others) are present in Chaucer? How do Chaucer’s affects of death work on his audience, medieval to modern?

Candidates will be notified by 15 March whether their submission has been selected for the special session proposal. The MLA Committee will decide whether or not to accept the special session by early June 2013. Please note that session participants must be registered members of the MLA by 7 April 2013.

‘Death and Affect in Chaucer’ Special Session proposed format:

If it is accepted for the 2014 MLA Convention, the session ‘Death and Affect in Chaucer’ will include four 10-minute presentations, with a short Q&A after each presentation and a final open discussion at the end.